ECI – Engineers Construction

Several of us were MSHA trained this week.  MSHA stands for the Mine Safety & Health Administration which oversees safety in the mining industry (including surface mines and quarries), just as OSHA oversees safety in the construction and general industry.   MSHA, like OSHA, is part of the US Department of Labor.

There are several noteworthy differences between MSHA and OSHA, including:

• Fall Protection – required where there is a potential of falling, regardless of height (technically, anything more than a step).
• Extension Chords – Cannot be longer than 100 ft, must be a single chord, and protected from driving over
• Generator Grounding – Required for all generators 5,000 watt and greater
• Housekeeping – is particularly important, especially in equipment and vehicles
• Parking Brakes – MSHA might ask us to demonstrate the brakes under full load in the steepest grade on the site
• Wheel Chocks – All truck to be chocked when parked without an operator
• Berms along Roads/Excavations – All roads & excavations require a berm to mid height of vehicle axle